France told the IOC on Friday that it has the expertise to ensure the safety of athletes and spectators if the 2012 Olympics come to Paris.
Interior Minister, Dominique de Villepin, told International Olympic Committee inspectors that 41,000 police officers, armed police and soldiers, as well as 5,700 fire and rescue workers would provide security.
Quote:
"France has the means and the experience so that everyone, spectators and athletes, can take part in this festival in total safety,".
President Jacques Chirac, who hosted the IOC for dinner at the Elysee Palace, said the French are ready to host the games.
Quote:
"Tonight, it is the whole of France who receives you," Chirac said. "A whole nation which is putting its passion for sport, its experience of big sporting events and its enthusiasm into this candidature."
Today, the last day in Paris, the IOC will take the metro to the Bercy arena in southeast Paris.
The street protests continue, another protest is scheduled by environmentalists opposed to plans to build a 15,000-seat Olympic arena for judo and badminton in the Bois de Boulogne in western Paris.
Saturday, March 12, 2005
Thursday, March 10, 2005
French Shoot Themselves in The Foot
It is reported that France is at a standstill today, as workers have taken to the streets in an effort to embarrass Paris's bid to stage the 2012 Olympics.
Postal services have been stopped, schools closed and the transport network shut down; as the French try to stop plans to end the maximum 35 hour week, how nice to live in Lah Lah Land!
The strikes coincide with the visit by the inspectors from the International Olympic Committee, who are there this week examining its bid to stage the games in seven years' time.
Trade unionists set off flares and waved banners in the Place d'Italie, and along the city's grand boulevards, a nice picture for the IOC to take home with them.
Public transport faced stoppages in 55 towns and cities, and there was severe disruption on the Paris Metro and RER.
The morning headlines were "France paralysed".
The mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoe, admits that he is concerned.
The French are not that happy to host the Games, an article in Le Monde yesterday called for the games not to be staged in the capital; dismissing them as a money-making spectacle riddled by drugs.
I couldn't agree more.
Postal services have been stopped, schools closed and the transport network shut down; as the French try to stop plans to end the maximum 35 hour week, how nice to live in Lah Lah Land!
The strikes coincide with the visit by the inspectors from the International Olympic Committee, who are there this week examining its bid to stage the games in seven years' time.
Trade unionists set off flares and waved banners in the Place d'Italie, and along the city's grand boulevards, a nice picture for the IOC to take home with them.
Public transport faced stoppages in 55 towns and cities, and there was severe disruption on the Paris Metro and RER.
The morning headlines were "France paralysed".
The mayor of Paris, Bertrand Delanoe, admits that he is concerned.
The French are not that happy to host the Games, an article in Le Monde yesterday called for the games not to be staged in the capital; dismissing them as a money-making spectacle riddled by drugs.
I couldn't agree more.
Wednesday, March 09, 2005
Street Riots in Paris
The chances of Paris hosting the 2012 Olympics suffered a sever blow yesterday, as street riots erupted in the French capital.
Scuffles and tear gas spread throughout the city centre, as inspectors from the International Olympic Committee arrived.
In scenes reminiscent of the 1960's, tens of thousands of students clashed with the police and smashed shop windows.
The punch up also marred a march by an estimated 40,000 secondary school pupils through central Paris, who were trying to protest against the government's education reforms.
The Olympic officials avoided the violence and were quickly shuttled to the Grand Hotel Intercontinental, where they spent the night ahead of their four-day inspection.
Bertrand Delanoë, the city's mayor, said:
"Social democracy cannot be put on hold for seven years just because of the 2012 Olympics..We are a democratic country, where debate is freely expressed."
The student protest is the start of a week of nationwide industrial action, set to culminate in the total shutdown of public transport tomorrow, the day the inspectors will be touring the city's venues and infrastructure.
Despite the brave words of the mayor, it is likely that the protests will kill Paris's bid.
Tomorrow hundreds of thousands of public sector workers will vent their anger on issues ranging from the reform of the 35 hour working week, to employment policies and wages.
How can the IOC be confident that there will not be similar disruptions in 2012?
Scuffles and tear gas spread throughout the city centre, as inspectors from the International Olympic Committee arrived.
In scenes reminiscent of the 1960's, tens of thousands of students clashed with the police and smashed shop windows.
The punch up also marred a march by an estimated 40,000 secondary school pupils through central Paris, who were trying to protest against the government's education reforms.
The Olympic officials avoided the violence and were quickly shuttled to the Grand Hotel Intercontinental, where they spent the night ahead of their four-day inspection.
Bertrand Delanoë, the city's mayor, said:
"Social democracy cannot be put on hold for seven years just because of the 2012 Olympics..We are a democratic country, where debate is freely expressed."
The student protest is the start of a week of nationwide industrial action, set to culminate in the total shutdown of public transport tomorrow, the day the inspectors will be touring the city's venues and infrastructure.
Despite the brave words of the mayor, it is likely that the protests will kill Paris's bid.
Tomorrow hundreds of thousands of public sector workers will vent their anger on issues ranging from the reform of the 35 hour working week, to employment policies and wages.
How can the IOC be confident that there will not be similar disruptions in 2012?
Tuesday, March 08, 2005
Paris Under The Spotlight
The IOC evaluation commission begin their inspection visit to Paris, the French capital, tomorrow.
Paris is the front runner in the five city race to win the 2012 Olympics.
Madrid, London and New York have already been visited by the commission and, after their four-day investigation into Paris, the commission will fly to Moscow.
Unfortunately for Paris, 24 hours after the commission begins its work, a national strike called to protest unemployment and French government plans to tamper with the 35-hour working week begins.
A cynic might suggest that the timing of the strike was deliberate!
However, the French unions say they are backing the bid and have no plans to disrupt the commission; but they would say that, wouldn't they?
That being said, a deal has even been reached with the staff of the Grand Hotel where the commission is staying not to strike.
The commission contains seven IOC members and one ex-member. Their private comments to colleagues after the five-city tour is completed, are likely to carry as much, if not more, weight as the official report.
Jean-Paul Huchon, president of the Ile de France regional council and a member of the Paris bid, told the French daily sports newspaper L'Equipe on Saturday that one IOC member told him during the Athens Games that he would never vote for Paris.
"One of your Olympic Committee friends voted against me,".
A French monthly magazine, asked five clairvoyants for their insight into the battle for 2012 and if Paris would win.
Only one 'saw' a Paris victory, one was uncertain, and three pictured a Paris defeat announced the magazine in it's February issue.
July 6 is the date that the decision will be announced.
Paris is the front runner in the five city race to win the 2012 Olympics.
Madrid, London and New York have already been visited by the commission and, after their four-day investigation into Paris, the commission will fly to Moscow.
Unfortunately for Paris, 24 hours after the commission begins its work, a national strike called to protest unemployment and French government plans to tamper with the 35-hour working week begins.
A cynic might suggest that the timing of the strike was deliberate!
However, the French unions say they are backing the bid and have no plans to disrupt the commission; but they would say that, wouldn't they?
That being said, a deal has even been reached with the staff of the Grand Hotel where the commission is staying not to strike.
The commission contains seven IOC members and one ex-member. Their private comments to colleagues after the five-city tour is completed, are likely to carry as much, if not more, weight as the official report.
Jean-Paul Huchon, president of the Ile de France regional council and a member of the Paris bid, told the French daily sports newspaper L'Equipe on Saturday that one IOC member told him during the Athens Games that he would never vote for Paris.
"One of your Olympic Committee friends voted against me,".
A French monthly magazine, asked five clairvoyants for their insight into the battle for 2012 and if Paris would win.
Only one 'saw' a Paris victory, one was uncertain, and three pictured a Paris defeat announced the magazine in it's February issue.
July 6 is the date that the decision will be announced.
Monday, March 07, 2005
Olympic Ambassador Appointed
Lord Sebastian Coe has selected Ivan Corea, of Redbridge, to be Olympic Ambassador. He has been selected for the honour, because of his vocal support for London's bid to host the 2012 Olympics and Paralympics.
In his new role, Mr Corea, will be using his prominence in the Redbridge community to encourage people to Back the Bid.
He has garnered support via a variety of channels, including; the UK Autism Awareness Campaign, which he established in Redbridge, and Stratford's Dream Harvest Group, of which he is managing director.
Mr Corea reportedly said:
"I'm delighted to accept this appointment. The Dream Harvest Group has been hugely involved in backing the bid right from the very start..We will continue to support the London 2012 bid, particularly in reaching out to minority ethnic communities."
Adding:
"We're very excited about the bid; London is a great city, a city of many cultures, languages and communities. The Olympic Games will enhance this kaleidoscope of peoples so let us celebrate this diversity."
In his new role, Mr Corea, will be using his prominence in the Redbridge community to encourage people to Back the Bid.
He has garnered support via a variety of channels, including; the UK Autism Awareness Campaign, which he established in Redbridge, and Stratford's Dream Harvest Group, of which he is managing director.
Mr Corea reportedly said:
"I'm delighted to accept this appointment. The Dream Harvest Group has been hugely involved in backing the bid right from the very start..We will continue to support the London 2012 bid, particularly in reaching out to minority ethnic communities."
Adding:
"We're very excited about the bid; London is a great city, a city of many cultures, languages and communities. The Olympic Games will enhance this kaleidoscope of peoples so let us celebrate this diversity."
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